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It seems to be obvious that the F30 3 Series will come with a 4-cylinder turbo as the base model engine in the states (I'll just call it a 328i to make it easier). Although I've seen some thoughts here and there about the NA inline 6-cylinder engine disappearing, I'd really like to see an anonymous poll to see how many of us like the change.

I actually like the idea of it. I know it almost may seem like a step backward to some but in terms of potential power and fuel efficiency, I think it has the potential to be a real winner.

I'm not sure what choice I would make between the 328 and 335 though ... it probably comes down to price in the end. I think most people are going to want to test drive both and make a decision based on that though.

I will wait and see (drive), but on paper the 4cylinder turbo looks great. To me the 328i isn't fast enough and the 335i I find to be too much 99% of the time. I will take the extra gas mileage, HP and torque the turbo offers over the NA 328i. Also the 8 speed tranny will help both acceleration and MPG as well, take a look at the current 528i.

From my perspective, my wife had a 1.8T in her VW Passat a while back, and I've recently driven some A4 2.0T loaners from the Audi dealer. Although they get the job done (decent acceleration, better MPG than 6-cylinder engines), they're not the type of engine I expect in a luxury car costing about $40k. They're rattly and unrefined at lower revs.

If I'm spending $40k, I can handle a couple hundred dollars a year in increased fuel costs. The reason I'm spending that much is to get a nice sporty luxury car that's both fun to drive and refined. If I just wanted a 4 banger that was fast I'd get an STi or Evo.

I love the 2.5 liter I6 in my wife's X3, I loved the 3.0 liter in my old 330i and the 2.5 in my old 525i. They oozed refinement and class, with plenty of sport thrown in. Sure, there will be the uplevel F30 335i (or whatever they call it), but if I'm buying a car for my wife, why do I have to spend $50k just to get a 6 cylinder?

With the F30 4-cylinder they've lost one more advantage they had over Audi's lineup.

This is also going to be a real opportunity for Infiniti. They should offer a nav option in their G25 going forward, and they'll pick off ex-BMW owners left and right who still want a 6-cylinder for their $35k.

As we've mentioned earlier, BMW is ready to improve overall fuel efficiency for the 2012 model year with the introduction of a new 2.0-liter turbo four. The new mill, which is slated to put out 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, will arrive Stateside under the bonnet of the 2012 528i, Z4 and 3 Series.

If you're willing to part with your hard-earned cash, the 528i and Z4 models will arrive in September. And now we know just how much money you'll have to kiss goodbye, as the German luxury make gave us the price of entry for both models.

Removing two cylinders will lead to increased fuel economy, and you can apply those pump savings towards the higher purchase price. The 2012 528i will set buyers back $47,575, or $2,505 more than the $45,050 2011 model. Meanwhile, the Z4 will carry an MSRP of $49,525, or $2,075 more than the 2011 model. For now, all we have is the new base prices for the turbo-four-equipped models. We can only hope these higher prices also come with a bit more standard equipment.

You would never catch me dead in a four-banger $50K car. Thats paying more for less car, and that doesn't make any sense if u want a four-banger gas saver with leather seats get a ford fusion and pay $35k tops. If I'm buying a BMW I want a I-6 with a manual and 20 mpg if I drive it like a bat outta hell! If you can afford $50k then you car afford to buy gas for if too.

I'm a recovering Saaber, and I've driven a lot of 4 cylinder turbos. My last car was the latest 9-3. Yeah, they get good gas mileage and have decent spunk, but they're not buttery smooth like the Bimmer I6.

I know turbo technology has improved, but the basic physics remain the same: you're trying to jam compressed air into a small engine while keeping it cool and therefore oxygen rich. It works great in cold climates, generating smooth, constant power from a small engine. But as soon as the outside temperature gets above 70F, the intercooler begins to struggle and performance (and torque curve smoothness) suffers. The latest engines have improved significantly with respect to eliminating turbo lag, but overcoming the thermodynamic limitations of the technology is a bigger challenge.

I love my I6, and around town I can drive like a granny if I want to get similar gas mileage to a turbo I4. I have no problem with BMW wanting to jump in the turbo-4 pool with VW, Audi, and Saab in the NA market, but it would be nice to keep an I6 option on the table.

I love my I6, and around town I can drive like a granny if I want to get similar gas mileage to a turbo I4. I have no problem with BMW wanting to jump in the turbo-4 pool with VW, Audi, and Saab in the NA market, but it would be nice to keep an I6 option on the table.

Amen.

Of course if they show 36 MPG highway/25 city with the turbo 4 I might begin to change my tune. Still not sure how BMW can claim the turbo is getting 15% better mileage than the 528i with the 3.0.

We need the 320D!!! Get the message BMW - a 6-speed manual 3-pedal 4-cylinder common rail diesel. Not a fan of a 4 cyl gasser, but with pending reglations on fleet fuel economy, there will be little choice soon. The goverment WILL control what you drive later in this decade.

From my perspective, my wife had a 1.8T in her VW Passat a while back, and I've recently driven some A4 2.0T loaners from the Audi dealer. Although they get the job done (decent acceleration, better MPG than 6-cylinder engines), they're not the type of engine I expect in a luxury car costing about $40k. They're rattly and unrefined at lower revs.

I've heard the Audi/VW 2.0T is a little rough, but some aren't so bad. My Acura TSX's 2.4 liter is amazingly smooth, as is the 2.0 liter DI turbo four in the new Saab 9-5. I have no doubt BMW will deliver one of the smoothest four cylinder turbos on the planet. They have the confidence to install it in the 5 Series, which should say a lot about its luxury quotient.

So, while I love the I6, I'm looking forward to 35 mph highway and the massive torque from the turbo four. Hopefully I'll be in a position to replace the Acura with an F30 in a couple of years.

Hard to say whether or not it will be better or worse until the engine is actually available. If the gas mileage goes up by 15% but it drives like crap, then no one will buy it. It has to drive at least as well as the current 6 cylinder. Which it might...so let's keep our fingers crossed. When they first came out with the N54, there were all these concerns about "BMW going turbo". But once the reviews came in all concerns were put to rest. So let's wait and see what they come up with.

Hard to say whether or not it will be better or worse until the engine is actually available. If the gas mileage goes up by 15% but it drives like crap, then no one will buy it. It has to drive at least as well as the current 6 cylinder. Which it might...so let's keep our fingers crossed. When they first came out with the N54, there were all these concerns about "BMW going turbo". But once the reviews came in all concerns were put to rest. So let's wait and see what they come up with.

When the engine isn't working right it's a delivery and refinement issue. N54 was not a good launch... 335s with the N54 have extended warranties for a reason.

I know, I know. I am just trying to say that assuming reliability was not one of the criteria being measured (which is something that cannot be measured during a test drive), the N54 did quite well. There was lots of praise for it all over the press.